CHARLIE DYER Charlie Dyer has spent more time learning, performing, following and talking about music than anything else in his life. He was trained in Classical music--voice, piano and cello--in his youth. As an adult, Charlie has been active in theatre and chorale music. For six years, he was a member of the internationally-recognized Seattle Men’s Chorus. Prior to joining Sirius OutQ, Charlie was the co-founder and vice president/music programming of webcaster GAYBC Radio Network.

AfterElton.com: As a trained musician, do you still get a chance to play and/or perform? Does Sirius ever let you play that beautiful grand piano in their awesome glass-enclosed live/recording music studio? Any especially notable live performances you've attended in that studio?
Charlie Dyer: Living in New York has certainly hindered my ability to play the piano since my apartment is the size of postage stamp. Occasionally, I’ve stepped into the studio to tickle the ivories of our wonderful Baldwin grand piano. An odd kind of feeling always comes over me when I’ve played it and think about the really great musicians that have had their hands on it, like Patricia Barber and Fred Hersch. I had the same sensation when I was allowed to play a rather famous harpsichord in the Smithsonian’s collection when I was child. But, that’s a story for another day…I’ve conducted so many great sessions there with GLBT artists such as Ian Shaw, Justin Tranter and Magdalen Hsu-Li. It’s hard to pick a favorite.

AE: You are such a great supporter of live GLBT music. I have seen you in attendance at so many of our queer music community's live events. Other than upcoming, independent GLBT music artists, who are some of your favorites? What famous musical artists/orchestras/bands, etc., - gay or straight - does Charlie Dyer always try to catch when they play NYC?
CD: Growing up in a family of musicians, I listened to many different kinds of music, from Chopin to Pink Floyd to The Beatles to Jean Michel Jarre to The Carpenters to Meco. I’ve never really approached music trying to figure out what my favorite band or musician might be. I was always hungry for more variety than what I was hearing in person or on the radio as a child - constantly seeking out new LPs at the record store and joining at least four different mail-order record clubs. Given that, I really loved the Talking Heads and would move heaven and earth to see them live if they ever got back together.

AE: Queer musical artists can be a strong-minded, fiercely independent, politically volatile, radical (if not also a wild and crazy) bunch. You must get all kinds on your show. Ever get any guests who were just too over-the-top or outrageous while on the air? Tell us about some particularly bold, nutty, harrowing, if not edgy, guest experiences.
CD: There’s no such thing as too over-the-top or outrageous on Sirius OutQ! Most of the time it’s really more of an issue of trying to get guests to let down their guard and really be themselves no matter the consequences. Stephin Merritt comes to mind as someone who’s known to be a rather introspective musician and rather monosyllabic in interviews. Having had a few interactions with Stephin over the years I knew that he had a wry sense of humor and might open up given the right environment in the studio. Although he was still a bit shy, I did hear from listeners after the interview that they had never heard him so “chatty” in interviews with other radio hosts. Receiving feedback like feels so good!

AE: In your interactions with guest artists, do you steer clear of opinionated divisions within our GLBT world, or do you expose them and challenge guests on their beliefs and attitudes?
CD: While I think it’s fun to have light and fluffy interviews, it’s even more fun when an artist is unafraid to speak their mind on subjects like sexuality, politics or religion. I believe musicians are entitled to their opinions just like anyone else and shouldn’t be told to be quiet just because they are an entertainer. It’s unfortunate that the current administration in the White House has brushed that kind of broad stroke over the entertainment industry. Some musicians have even shrugged off questions of mine with responses like, “I’m just a dumb musician. What do I know about the world?” Isn’t that a sad state of affairs?

AE: I've heard there are some exciting new features coming to your programming. Can you tell us about it?
CD: I’m really excited about all the cool new features that will be a part of Charlie Dyer’s GLBeaT. Along with all the great GLBT music, interviews and performances with GLBT musicians, listeners tuning in will also hear:

Queeraoke - invite a number of guest musicians/bands to perform their favorite cover song with a particular Queer focus each time such as Elton John, Queen, k.d. lang, Melissa Etheridge or themes like vintage women's music, classic dance trax, etc.

Hometown Live – We’ll be presenting concerts and gigs recorded in venues large and small from all over the US and abroad submitted by musicians, bands and choruses.

Flashback – We’ll be featuring spotlights on GLBT musicians of the past from Bessie Smith to Johnny Ray.

World GLBeaT - We’ll be spotlighting some of our GLBT brothers and sisters pursuing their musical careers in countries other than the US.

Charlie Dyer’s GLBeaT airs Saturdays from Noon – 4 pm ET.
Get more info at SiriusOutQ.com.

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